By ABDULLAH 
The Asia Cup 2025 ended with India defeating Pakistan in a tense final, but instead of celebrations uniting cricket fans, the post-match trophy ceremony has sparked one of the tournament’s biggest controversies. South African cricket legend AB de Villiers has openly criticised India’s behaviour, accusing the team of letting politics overshadow the spirit of the game.
The row erupted during the closing ceremony when the Indian team reportedly hesitated to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The incident, captured on broadcast cameras, quickly went viral, fuelling debate about whether India deliberately politicised the moment.
De Villiers, speaking on his “AB de Villiers 360” YouTube show and other media platforms, called the behaviour “awkward” and “unfair to the players.” He stressed:
“Team India sort of weren’t happy with who was handing out the trophy. I don’t feel that belongs in sports. Politics should stay aside. Sport should be celebrated for what it is.”
This was not the only controversy. Earlier in the Asia Cup, reports surfaced that Indian players avoided shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts after matches, adding further fuel to the narrative of strained sportsmanship.
De Villiers said such actions damage cricket’s image:
“It puts players in a very tough position, and that’s what I hate to see. Fans and players deserve better.”
The former South African captain emphasised that tournaments like the Asia Cup should showcase regional cricketing talent, not political divides.
AB de Villiers is widely respected for his balanced views and reluctance to wade into political controversies. His public rebuke therefore carries extra weight. By voicing his dismay, he has joined a growing number of international voices urging that cricket must remain free of political agendas.
Even former Indian World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev commented that while emotions are natural, such conduct “should not linger” and players must “let politicians do their job.”
The Asia Cup has long been one of cricket’s most celebrated tournaments, bringing together teams from South Asia and beyond. But this year’s edition was clouded by disputes over venues, scheduling, and player interactions between Pakistan and India.
The trophy ceremony saga became the latest flashpoint, with critics warning that such incidents risk undermining the credibility of cricket as a unifying sport. Fans across Pakistan, India, and neutral countries took to social media, where hashtags like #KeepPoliticsOutOfCricket and #AsiaCupControversy trended for hours.
For cricket-loving nations like Pakistan, where the sport is often described as a passion rather than a pastime, such controversies cut deep. The Asia Cup final was meant to be a showcase of rivalry and talent, yet many fans left focusing not on India’s victory, but on the ceremonial fallout.
De Villiers’ remarks also resonate strongly with Pakistani fans, who have long argued that political disputes with India often spill unnecessarily into cricket, affecting bilateral ties and tournament atmospheres.
As diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan remain high, it is unlikely that cricket will be completely free from external pressures anytime soon. However, voices like AB de Villiers offer hope. His comments remind both boards and fans that cricket’s essence lies in fair play, respect, and celebration of talent.
Whether future tournaments heed that advice remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the 2025 Asia Cup will be remembered as much for its off-field controversies as for its on-field action.